Take better care

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day." 2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." And if death is certain, then the aging process that leads to it is inescapable as well... something I was not ready to face just yet. But when over training finally led to some major hip pain, I consulted my doctor (who is also a Christian and knows my passion for running) last week who spoke the words I needed to hear, "Melissa, your earthly shell is wearing out. You don't have to stop but you have to do things differently. You've got to take better care of your body." And that "better care," she said, means more stretching, more cross training and fewer high mileage days.

And while it's true that all of "our bodies are dying," you and I should "never give up" doing those things God has called us to. You see, even though our earthly shells are wearing out making fatigue and pain our more frequent companions, "our spirits are being renewed every day." And that means God will give us the inner strength and the renewed spirit to press on in the midst of it all. Will it be harder to do as we age? Undoubtedly. Will we have to do it a little differently? Most assuredly. But if we stay determined to press on, God will see us through. 

So if you're tempted today to give up and walk away, hang in there my friend. Don't forsake your eternal reward because of today's physical pain or discomfort. Turn to God and allow Him to renew you from within and give you the strength to stand firm and keep going in spite of it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we will all get older and that we need to take the better care of our bodies so we can serve well for a lifetime. Help us to call on You to renew our spirits when we feel like giving up and to keep a smile on our faces knowing that, regardless of our limitations, if we have a pulse we have a purpose. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Need you now - Plumb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPZMEfkb0VQ